Maker of Nutella and Tic Tacs Confident in Family Hands

For years, investment bankers have beaten a path to the door of Ferrero SpA—the Italian maker of Tic Tacs, hazelnut spread Nutella, and Kinder chocolate eggs—dangling proposals to take the company public or sell out to a bigger rival. Just last year, Mars Inc. expressed interest in the company, while Nestlé SA has looked at Ferrero for years, according to people familiar with the situation.